how to tune a dulcimer

Place the dulcimer in your lap. You are going to learn how to use an electronic tuner and--for those without a tuner--a piano or guitar to tune the dulcimer. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Pluck a string and turn one of the tuning pegs to see if it is the one that you want to tune. Is this true? Pluck the middle string with the pick and see what note the string registers. It will take several days and retunings before a newly strung dulcimer will stay in tune long without going flat. At the bottom of the fretboard (closest to you) should be the doubled string. If you do not have an instrument that you can use when tuning this bass string, use your voice. The Ionian Mode is the method most commonly used, but there are a few other options, as well. Try different ones until you find the best. It has been used for a variety of tunes, including. But there are of course standard tunings (particularly DAAA and DAdd) you should be aware of before you start exploring. Dulcimer Crossing brings easy hammered dulcimer lessons and mountain dulcimer lessons to people who are unable to get to workshops because of their jobs, and to those who don't have a teacher nearby. Place your electronic tuner near the dulcimer and turn it on. The dulcimer's tuning keys should be on your left. Two types of instrument stake claim to the name—both have different shapes, different methods of being played, and diverse origins. Because of the diatonic nature of the fretboard, the dulcimer will do a great deal of transposing of notes from one key to another. The mountain dulcimer is a unique American folk instrument and is very easy to play. Tune your dulcimer by beginning with the bass (D) string. DAA tune There are some great two chord songs that you can … The good news is, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Make sturdy repairs before retightening strings. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Players will tune the strings to different combinations of notes (modes) to achieve different sounds. This step and the one immediately before it are the same for each different tuning method described here, so mastering these two steps is a crucial effort. If you do not have a pitch pipe, guitar, or piano, you can tune this bass string using your voice. Tune This Dulcimer - The World's Most Annoying Musical Game 1.1 download - Annoy your friends and family and also have fun learning to tune a… If you are still unable to determine which knob adjusts which string, ask an expert to help you. Enjoy online dulcimer lessons at your own pace, within your personal time frame, and play dulcimer music in the comfort of … The head should be to your left. My mother bought a mountain dulcimer a few years ago and it's been moved from one basement to the attic, to a box in her room to a bookshelf in mine and I have finally decided to pick it up. By using our site, you agree to our. Sound the A note (2nd fret, 3rd string from bottom--open G string) on a guitar or the A below middle C on a piano and adjust the dulcimer's lower set of strings to match this pitch. The first method is probably the simplest-leave the bass and middle strings the same and tune the paired melody strings down one full step. The … I've been searching youtube, for tuning … Similarly, the melody string is usually referred to as the "first" string even though you work on it last. Remember your tuning is symmetrical, so you can play any chord upside down. Ryan Angus has been a college writing instructor since 2005. Usually, though, you can tune your dulcimer at home without any professional help. He has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English literature from Marshall University with an emphasis on language studies (linguistics). wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Simple dulcimer tuner to tune up your dulcimer. If you have a dulcimer with more than five strings, you should take it to a professional to have it tuned since there are too many variations in string placement and sound. The Ionian Mode scale begins on the third fret and runs through the tenth fret. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. The results may not be quite as precise, though. When there is a set of strings (two bass strings or two melody strings), all strings in that set should be tuned in the same manner. The Aeolian Mode scale begins at the first fret and runs through the eighth fret. Strum all of the strings to make sure it sounds in tune. Place the dulcimer in your lap. Note that this step and the bass tuning step are essentially the same for each method described in this article. If the pitch is below D then you should tighten the string with the tuning key to make the pitch higher. Electronic tuner… This may not be a D note, but it will come close enough for most purposes. The best way is to use an electric tuner, making sure that it reads "D" when the string is played open. Tune the third fret or bass string to the D below middle C on the piano (or to the open fourth string of a guitar). You can play the dulcimer with ease by laying it flat on your lap in a comfortable position. The dulcimer's tuning keys should be on your left. Try fretting the first or melody string at the 2nd fret instead of the bass, as shown and see how it sounds. Jun 26, 2014 - How to tune a stringed instrument called the Appalachian or Mountain Dulcimer. It takes two hands to tune -- one to turn the peg and one to hold the dulcimer firmly. The mountain dulcimer is enormously flexible and can be tuned in just about any way you’d like. You can also tune it to another tuned instrument by playing a D on that instrument, such as, for example, the open … For the more experienced, who need only to hear the notes, select the “quick-tune” option. The dulcimer's tuning keys should be on your left. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 47,228 times. Explore. A nicely tuned dulcimer can make your music s… Press your finger in between two frets, and now strum. The bottom or melody strings are often doubled, but both are tuned the same and are fretted together when played. This is assuming you're in DAD tuning. If using a guitar, pluck the open fourth string to hear the correct note. The open fourth string on a guitar will produce the correct D note. DAD is the most common but it is often easier for the beginning player to tune to DAA … Pluck on the string to produce an A note, then use the middle tuning knob to adjust the middle string until the sound it produces matches the same pitch when the middle string is open plucked. If you add strings differently tension-ed strings, you will change the tuning. Twenty-eight dulcimer … If the pitch is below A then you should tighten the string with the tuning key to make the pitch higher. An alternate method would be to raise the bass and middle strings up one full step. A well-built, stable instrument can stay in tune for a few weeks in a constant environment, although changes to … At the bottom of the fretboard (closest to you) should be the doubled string. This step and the step prior to it are the essentially same no matter which tuning method you use. Match the string to the note you hum. (Ordinarily, 5 mm "zither pins" are used, similar to, but smaller in diameter than piano tuning pins, which come in various sizes ranging upwards from "1/0" or 7 mm.) Continue this process until the string is at A on the tuner. On newer dulcimers, there is an "extra" fret after the third fret. On a guitar, the D below Middle C is the same note as the open fourth string. Another option is to tune a short-scale dulcimer(or a baritone) to GDG which puts you in the key of G; capo at the 3rd fret for the key of C. We're all assuming you play chords. For several years now, I ’ve heard hammered dulcimer players talk about wanting to embellish a tune. If you don't have a 1-1/2 fret, you can tune to CGC as Ken suggests. There are many different tuning options for dulcimers. You can play additional notes both below and above this scale on your dulcimer. The Dorian Mode scale begins on the fourth fret and runs through the eleventh fret. % of people told us that this article helped them. You will need to loosen the tension of the melody string to lower the pitch. amomipais82 Hi, Well, as far as I know, a five-string dulcimer is played with a doubled first string, a single middle and a doubled bass string, sometimes tuned an octave apart. If you do not have an instrument to tune the bass string to, hum a note with your voice that feels as natural and comfortable as possible. The article says, "Tune the third fret or bass string." The Mixolydian Mode scale begins on open melody string (also called the "zero fret") and runs through the seventh fret. If you want to retune your dulcimer, you could use either DAG tuning, and play the tune in the key of D-Dorian starting at the 4th fret, or you could tune to DAC and start the scale on the 1st fret, using the 6+ fret to play the dorian scale. If you are tuning from a piano, the note you should use for the bass string (D) is the D below middle C. From a guitar, the bass string should sound like the 4th string of a guitar in standard tuning. My problem is that I have never once played the instrument, and am trying to tune it. Make sure you're only pressing on the bottom string. Above that will be two single strings--one in the middle and one at the top (bass string). This site provides you with free online lessons to get you started playing the dulcimer. This article has been viewed 47,228 times. Above that will be two single strings--one in the middle and one at the top (bass string). The tuning technique is the same regardless of which mode you choose for your dulcimer, and so once you learn how to tune to D-A-A you can easily tune to other modes as well. You can select any guitar pick for the dulcimer, as they are used by many professionals too. There is nothing quite like the sound of a mountain dulcimer. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Press down on the bass string just left of the fourth fret on your dulcimer. Tuning your dulcimer can be a difficult task for you if you are just beginning dulcimer. ‎Simple dulcimer tuner to tune up your dulcimer. You can get this string to D in a number of ways. This high D is one octave above the open bass string. This is assuming you're in DAD tuning. Because these open strings are vital to the sound of the instrument, it is extremely important for a dulcimer to be in tune. The modern dulcimer usually has a series of 20 frets down the length of it and 3 strings which are often tuned D - A - D. This means the top and bottom strings are tuned to D, and the middle string to A. If the pitch registers above A then you should loosen the string with the tuning key to lower the pitch. In the … In both cases you end up having to transpose the tune from A to D. A … Here are some simple dulcimer chords to get you started. Jun 26, 2014 - How to tune a stringed instrument called the Appalachian or Mountain Dulcimer. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. When using a guitar, play the D below middle C by plucking the open fourth string. Note that the bass string is usually referred to as the "third" string even though you will tune it first. Note that this step and the one before it are identical in each tuning method, so if you master these two steps, you can use just about any tuning method. There are many ways you can tune a dulcimer, but currently the most common tunings are DAD, DAA, or DGD. It is called "fifth-interval" because the treble bridge is positioned such that the note on the left side of the bridge is a perfect fifth above the note on the right. You will usually have to loosen the melody string a little when making this adjustment. Pluck the first string of the doubled set of strings with the pick and see what note the string registers. I have a 5 string dulcimer and was told in a shop that I would need to change the strings for a different sort if I wanted to change the tuning. The dulcimer's tuning allows a player to play a drone chord on open strings while playing a melody over top of it--similar to a sitar or bagpipe. Your right hand is in … Typically, this mode is heard most often in Neo-Celtic music and songs written for the Irish fiddle. We also want to provide helpful How-To videos that show information such as tuning your dulcimer or changing dulcimer … Try fretting the first or melody string at the 2nd fret instead of the bass, as shown and see how it sounds. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Most traditional American songs are considered "natural major" songs. This is because the bass string is the furthest from you and the melody string is the closest to you. How do I tune in the most common key? On your knee is usually a good place because it is close to the instrument and easily balanced. Place your index or middle finger, whichever one is the most comfortable for you, on the bottom string. The first time you tune a dulcimer, be prepared to spend a while on it! For this article we are going to tune to the common tuning of D-A-A (D Ionian). To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. A five-string dulcimer has two bass strings, one middle string, and two melody strings. At the bottom of the fretboard (closest to you) should be the doubled string. DIY and Crafts. The fretted dulcimer resembles an elongated violin with a limited number of strings (usually three to five) that can be plucked or bowed. Hum a natural, comfortable note and tune the string to that sound. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. How to tune ALL FIVE strings of a 5-string dulcimer . When tuning, aim for a bit sharp, and then give a firm push to set the peg. Hammered Dulcimer Video and Tuning Resources To introduce folks to the various instruments we build and to dulcimer music, we have put together several videos. This will also be the thinnest string. It is also called the Appalachian Dulcimer because it originated in the Appalachian mountain region. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-1.jpg\/aid4585607-v4-728px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"